We've got this!
emilym820
Posts: 993 Member
I work in HR, so I spend all day with people. My weight loss has really become very noticeable, so much that it's pretty much the only thing that people want to talk to me about. I'm getting constant compliments, comments, and nosey questions.
The most frequent question is, what plan are you using? They assume there must be a magic food plan, weight loss pill, exercise video or surgery that has made the weight just fall off. I just tell them I track what I eat and what I burn in exercise and make sure I'm under my daily goal in MFP. It blows their minds that I can lose weight, just by eating less and moving more.
Generally I get a long list of the reasons why they don't have time to do it, they can't do it, or they have a slow metabolism. I tell them that I work 50+ hours a week, I am on the school board, active in my church, always at my kids sports and school events,etc. I am busier than most, but my health is a priority. I didn't get up to 350 pounds overnight, so I need to understand that I'm not going to lose it overnight. It takes committment, sacrifice, sweat and sometimes a lack of sleep, but I'm worth it.
Most of the time they back away slowly becuase they see I'm climbing on a soap box, but sometimes, I see a light come on in someone's eyes and they get it. Losing weight (and keeping it off) will be one of the hardest things I will ever do in my life. But do you know what? It will also be one of the most amazing accomplishments of my life and I'm going to learn so much from it and be so strong when I get there. You will be too. Don't let anything stop you from getting there my friends. We've got this!
The most frequent question is, what plan are you using? They assume there must be a magic food plan, weight loss pill, exercise video or surgery that has made the weight just fall off. I just tell them I track what I eat and what I burn in exercise and make sure I'm under my daily goal in MFP. It blows their minds that I can lose weight, just by eating less and moving more.
Generally I get a long list of the reasons why they don't have time to do it, they can't do it, or they have a slow metabolism. I tell them that I work 50+ hours a week, I am on the school board, active in my church, always at my kids sports and school events,etc. I am busier than most, but my health is a priority. I didn't get up to 350 pounds overnight, so I need to understand that I'm not going to lose it overnight. It takes committment, sacrifice, sweat and sometimes a lack of sleep, but I'm worth it.
Most of the time they back away slowly becuase they see I'm climbing on a soap box, but sometimes, I see a light come on in someone's eyes and they get it. Losing weight (and keeping it off) will be one of the hardest things I will ever do in my life. But do you know what? It will also be one of the most amazing accomplishments of my life and I'm going to learn so much from it and be so strong when I get there. You will be too. Don't let anything stop you from getting there my friends. We've got this!
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Yay! You're right, we have got this!
I gained weight practically overnight when I was four (due to a hormone problem that wasn't diagnosed til I was in my twenties) and I was put on my first diet when I was seven. I've yo-yo dieted ever since. Putting on weight and losing weight was always a mystery. I knew I'd over eat, but it would feel like I'd only have one day of overeating and I'd put on pounds (because I had no idea what my BMR or TDEE was, nor how many calories I was eating - even when I counted calories). I would restrict my diet and up my exercise, and it would still feel like hit or miss whether I'd lose or gain weight (because 'healthy' foods have calories too!).
Since joining MFP I've learned so much! To know that 3500 calories over maintenance puts on a lb of fat (or 3500 under to lose) makes me feel in control of my weight for the first time in my life. I don't need to punish myself by eating 'good' foods and avoiding 'bad'. Calories in vs calories out really is all that is important - it is so simple, it is almost unbelievable!
I can see why your co-workers are asking you what 'plan' you are on and probably don't believe you when you tell them the truth. The diet industry makes its money on making people jump through hoops to please the weight loss gods. I hope those who listen to you do join MFP and learn the truth for themselves.
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Yes, we got this!!! I was reading an article, I can't remember where, and they were saying the people that give themselves positive self-talk are usually more successful. Yay you!!! Keep up the self-love!0
